According to statistics, there are around 12 million dogs living in the UK. Reports suggest the pandemic of 2020 led to a boom in dog ownership across the country. Dogs are called a man’s best friend, but sometimes the relationship between humans and dogs goes awry leading to injury or even death.
Under the UK’s Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991, owners are not allowed to keep dogs that are “dangerously out of control”. The Act outlaws the breeding, selling or swapping of any banned dog breed. Offenders risk a penalty of an unlimited fine or up to six months in prison. The dog will also be confiscated and destroyed.
Which dog breeds are banned in the UK?
The following dog breeds are currently banned in the UK:
1. Pit Bull Terrier
2. Japanese Tosa
3. Dogo Argentinos
4. Fila Brazileiro
5. American Bully XL (to be added)
UK Prime Minster Rishi Sunak has announced that American Bully XL dogs will be banned in the UK by the end of the year following another recent fatal attack by the dog breed.
The dog breed has been named in a number of deadly attacks across the UK including one involving a 17-month-old baby who was mauled to death last year in her home, a week after her parents bought the dog.
